Jayalalithaa announces candidates for all 40 constituencies

Even as talks on seat-sharing are still on with the two Left parties, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday announced the list of party candidates for all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry. In 2009 elections, the party won nine seats.

However, once the seats are finalised with the CPI (M) and CPI, the AIADMK will withdraw its candidates from the constituencies allotted to the parties, she said.

As a large number of cadre greeted Ms. Jayalalithaa on her 66th birthday, she arrived at the party headquarters here around noon and released the list. She also announced her month-long campaign schedule commencing in Kancheepuram on March 3.

Besides three doctors, there are many law and postgraduate degree holders among the candidates. Three sitting MPs – Dr. P. Venugopal (Tiruvallur), Dr. M. Thambidurai (Karur) and P. Kumar (Tiruchi) – were retained in their respective constituencies.

Asked on the possibility of other parties joining the alliance, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the existing alliance (with the CPI (M) and CPI) was enough for the AIADMK. The slogan for election would be ‘Peace, Prosperity and Progress.’

“My concentration will be on Tamil Nadu. My efforts will be focused on winning all the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies,” she said.

Manifesto soon

As birthday message, Ms. Jayalalithaa urged the people to work for the progress of the State and the country. The party’s election manifesto would be released soon.

To a question whether the State government would seek a special package for Tamil Nadu from the Centre, she said: “This is a [Central] Government that is on the way out. We will get whatever we want from the new government that will take charge probably in June.”

On the issue relating to the release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, the Chief Minister said she was aware of the Centre's review petition and the State would counter it in the court. “The State Government will do whatever has to be done legally,” she said.

I am happy at least she has understood the importance of MP post and selected candidates who can speak in english very fluently unlike other party leaders.This is very important since most of the MPs from TN in the recent past had very poor English speaking skills as a result neither they attended the Parliament nor effectively put forth the state's problem in parliament discussions.This is applicable to some union ministers also who represented the state.It brings very bad reputation to the state and paint a pathetic picture before the nation.Tamil Nadu has highly qualified literates in all fields who can communicate very fluently in english language.I request all parties to keep the above points in mind before the selecting their candidates and choose only those persons who can speak English eloquently

from:
S.Seshadri

Posted on: Feb 25, 2014 at 12:57 IST

It is 23 years since Jayalalitha first came to power and I am clearly seeing her changing tactics over these years. Initially, she was too inexperienced and raw, giving too much room to outsiders like Sasikala, depositing a cheque of Rs.3 cr.into her bank account casually, conducting her adopted son's marriage too lavishly & repulsively. In the innings from 2001, she was too stern against LTTE and dealt too firmly with the striking State Govt.staff. Though her firmness was appreciated by some, the boomerang in the Parliamentary elections in 2004 and more especially in the State elections in 2006 caused her to make a complete U turn, she also started offering sops and adopted populist measures. Just for the sake of a single byelection in Sankarankovil she opposed Koodankulam, showed that she is on the side of fishermen right or wrong. In short, she is an enigma for people like me, I admire her and oppose her at the same time. One only hopes she will adopt sane tactics hereafter.

from:
S.Ganesh

Posted on: Feb 25, 2014 at 06:18 IST

Her strategy is clear.Contest the Lok sabha elections with easily later dispensable allies like CPI and CPI (M).With the freebies and populist moves and the present weak stance of DMK and Congress in Tamilnadu,garner the maximum number of seats.Later if BJP in the National scene lacks absolute majority,offer alliance bargaining for PM's post.Alternately if BJP gets the majority on it's own,offer outside support to seek maximum advantage.

from:
V.Viswanathan

Posted on: Feb 24, 2014 at 21:34 IST

The Thiruvallur MP Mr.P.Venugopal has been retained but as an MP,I do not know what he has done for his constituency.We have not seen any central sponsored schemes in our area.And in terms of infrastructural works,our constituency,Madhavaram,does not figure anywhere in the development agenda of the state government for which he is also responsible,whether it is Metro Rail or the newly announced Mono Rail whereas places like Poonamalee have been included in the plan.We would like to know his achievements in the last five years to know whether Ms.Jayalalithaa has taken the right decision in retaining him again.

from:
Rajiv Nair

Posted on: Feb 24, 2014 at 19:21 IST

Like what she did prior to the assembly polls, she has taken the lead in announcing the candidates giving a leeway for partners and also preempting the other political parties to hurry now in deciding the alliances and seats. So long as canvassing in the constituencies are not started, no one can have a grudge. A brilliant move as usual!

from:
Ramachandran G

Posted on: Feb 24, 2014 at 17:58 IST

Tamilnadu CM and Anna DMK supremeo Jaylaltha has certainly taken a lead in announcing party candidates for coming elections. Now, she can concentrate on electioneering and try to sweep all Tamilnadu seats. Still, she will have to adopt accommodative attitude for other partners of Third Front. Her aspirations for Prime Ministership will be fulfilled only if she is able to hold all third front partners together.